Bluewater Adventures invites you to watch whales, see the elusive all-white Spirit Bear in the wilderness, visit ancient Native villages along remote shorelines, shower under a waterfall, soak in a remote hotsprings or kayak up to an unexplored beach.

NEW & Special Trips 2015

Haida Gwaii - Queen Charlotte Islands

Aboard our 68’ sailing vessel, we will cruise the waters of this remote archipelago seeing ancient Haida villages, an incredible abundance of wildlife and outstanding wilderness scenery. In June 2010 Canada’s first marine protected area was announced surrounding the islands. Our trips primarily explore the eastern and southern shores which lie within the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.

Christopher is a biologist and naturalist who has studied many types of wildlife and habitats. His interest in nature started at a young age in Southern Ontario, but he then moved to B.C. for university and work. After jobs and travel across Canada to South America, and Europe to Africa. Since 2007 he’s been coordinating the B.C. Breeding Bird Atlas to determine the abundance and distribution of birds across the province with Canada’s leading bird conservation organization, Bird Studies Canada.

Christopher has been leading trips in Haida Gwaii with his knowledge and exuberance for the diversity of bird species that visit Gwaii Haanas on their migration north and to nest.One such species that stands out is a tiny pelagic sea bird called the ancient murrelet. If we are lucky and our timing is right, by the light of the moon we will witness tiny balls of fluff come bouncing out of the forest to greet their calling parents at the tide's edge. Spring is the time for these 2 day old chicks to get acquainted with the sea and learn to fish because the next time they go ashore will be to lay eggs themselves.

We look forward to greater numbers of feeding humpback whales taking advantage of the huge plumes of microscopic shrimp called krill - this feeding frenzy keeps us on the look out as we explore the the east side Moresby Island. If you are a wildlife fan, this is the trip for you. Look forward to putting up the sails, enjoying healthy and delicious meals while experiencing the trip of a lifetime!

9 days - $5220 per person

June 26 - July 3:
The West Coast of Graham Island with Dr Robin Wright

Dr Robin Wright

Travel withNative Art Historian and Professor, Dr. Robin Wright. Explore Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage site with a focus on art and cultural history. Our experienced Crew will interpret the natural history of Haida Gwaii - a spectacular highlight!
Dr. Wright is the curator for Native American Art at the Burke Museum, Director of the Bill Holm Center for the Study of Northwest Coast Art, and an expert on Haida art. Haida Gwaii. Robin has been leading trips to Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) for over 20 years, most of them with Bluewater Adventures. She is always keen to share her knowledge on Haida art, First Nation stories, and her recent passion, Haida geneology, as well as her deep relationship with the people and land of Haida Gwaii is what brings these topics to life.

Travel with Robin Wright and Burke Museum members to experience the west coast of Haida Gwaii — a trip that few have ever done! In June 2015 aboard the Island Odyssey, sail the north and west coasts of Graham Island. Starting in Masset and ending in Queen Charlotte, you will be the first Bluewater guests to ever explore the beauty of Western Graham Island. See wonderful ancient Haida villages, wild beaches, and whales.

A focus on Haida art and culture, this is an excellent trip to learn more about this ancient culture. This trip is for the true adventurer. Exploring and sailing on the exposed, west coast will bring a select group of participants to some marvelous and seldom visited sites; and it amounts to a challenging itinerary.

Participants need to be in good health and fitness to fully enjoy the experience. Weather will be a factor in how comfortable our travel is in exposed sections. While the itinerary intentionally has extra time set aside, weather may prevent us reaching some locations and alternatives may need to be created. All participants need to be informed of the nature of the trip before they sign up. You are encouraged to come early or stay after the trip for a day or two to see more poles and visit with Haida artists. Bluewater Adventures can recommend a travel agent who can assist you with your travel arrangements.

8 days - $5000 per person

Kii’iljuus, Barbara Wilson, is a Haida, a member of the St’awaas Xaaydagaay (Cumshewa Eagle clan). She holds a Cultural Resource Management Diploma from University of Victoria and is an “Alumna of Distinction”. She is a published author and PICS Fellow in Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Education. Barbara facilitates students’ learning of the ways of her ancestors through stories, traditional knowledge and awareness of current issues for the Haida Nation. She actively promotes environmental education.

Distinguished Professor and Hakai Professor in Ethnoecology, Nancy Turner is an ethnobotanist whose research integrates the fields of botany and ecology with anthropology, geography and linguistics, among others. She is interested in the traditional knowledge systems and traditional land and resource management systems of Indigenous Peoples, particularly in western Canada.

Nancy has worked with First Nations elders and cultural specialists in northwestern North America for over 40 years, collaborating with Indigenous communities to help document, retain and promote their traditional knowledge of plants and habitats, including Indigenous foods, materials and medicines, as well as language and vocabulary relating to plants and environments. Her interests also include the roles of plants and animals in narratives, ceremonies, language and belief systems.

Dr. Turner has authored, co-authored or co-edited over 20 books, most recently a textbook, Ethnobiology (E. N. Anderson, first editor); The North American Guide to Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms – co-authored with Patrick Von Aderkas.

Barb welcomes us into the land of her ancestors and we have the pleasure of hearing about Haida history and tradition on this very unique opportunity. While ashore, Barb and Nancy explore for nature's remedies and explain their historic uses among the Haida people. We learn how plant and animal species endemic to Haida Gwaii are unique apart from their close cousins on the mainland due to ancient geologic events. This expedition is enriched with history, Haida stories and beliefs shared through the warmth and wisdom of this dynamic duo.

8 days - $4750 per person

July 22-29:
Haida Art & History with Master Carver, Robert Davidson

Robert Davidson is one of Canada’s most respected and important contemporary visual artists. A Northwest Coast native of Haida and Tlingit Descent, he is a master carver of totem poles and masks and works in a variety of other media as a printmaker, painter and jeweler. He is best known as an impeccable craftsman whose creative and personal interpretation of traditional Haida form is unparalleled. His distinctive style is appreciated by the Haida community and contemporary arts scholars alike, with many of his works considered post-modern masterpieces. His work is sought by collectors internationally.

Davidson’s passion to revive and perpetuate a variety of forms of Haida cultural expression, including song, dance and ceremony, has fueled his remarkable output throughout the years. He has been responsible among other things for carving and raising the first totem pole in his hometown of Massett in nearly 90 years when he was just 22 years old.

Guests and Crew are in for a very unique experience on this trip where Haida art will be a focus through the eyes of renowned Haida carver, print maker and jeweler, Robert Davidson. In addition to sharing Haida tradition, he will lead us into the past as we wind our way through the beauty and wonder of Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site.

This unique opportunity will expose guests to Haida artistic tradition like no other trip. Davidson has been awarded honorary degrees from universities across North America and has been presented with both the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada.

8 days - $4750 per person

North Coast/ Khutzeymateen Inlet

Khutzeymateen is a native Tsimshian word meaning ‘a confined space for salmon and bears’, a suitable description - as you will soon see. "Khutzeymateen" is spelled "K’tzim-a-Deen" by the local Tshimshian.

This trip encompasses a bounty of coastal wildlife; humpback whales and orca, sealions and seals, dolphins, porpoise, nesting birds and of course, grizzlies! We visit the world's first grizzly conservation area of its kind providing exceptional, bear viewing from our zodiac. The Khutzeymateen Inlet has provided coastal grizzlies with areas, free from hunting and logging to feed and rear their young, since 1994.

June 18 - 24, 2015:

Large Carnivores and Conservation with Dr Paul Paquet
and Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Dr. Paul C. Paquet is Senior Scientist/Research Director for Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria. He is an American and Canadian biologist who is best known for his ecological and behavioral research on large carnivores, especially regarding wolves and bears. He has graduate degrees in philosophy, wildlife behavior and conservation, biology, and a Ph.D. in zoology from University of Alberta. His research focuses on the interface between ecological theory and conservation. He is an internationally recognized authority on mammalian carnivores; including their ecology, behaviour, and management. He has spent more than 40 years covering subjects ranging from the world wide decline of large carnivores to the philosophical relationship of animal welfare and conservation, publishing more than 200 scholarly articles and several books addressing issues of ecology, conservation and environmental ethics. Paquet is an educator and member of numerous government, industry, and advisory committees of organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, WWF International, and the European Union.

Join this conservation-themed expeditionaboard the Island Odysseyand cruise along to explore islands along the remote North Coast to the Khutzeymateen. We sail deep in to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary where we can study grizzlies in their protected habitat. Dr Paquet is a leader in his field and we look forward to learning about, wildlife behaviour, ecology and conservation and how all 3 play important roles in a species' success. June is a great time to view bears who have just come out of hibernation, some with cubs, and are eager to feed on the variety of estuary plants that flourish this time of year. We also hope to see the infamous coastal wolf and a multitude of marine mammals like orca and humpback whales, Dall's porpoise, and Stellar sea lions. This Bluewater Adventures 3rd year in the Khutzeymateen and it just keeps getting better every year!

CAD$4185 pp*
Start and Finish in Prince Rupert, BC

+ includes a $300 contribution to Raincoast Conservation + 5% GST BOOK NOW

Southeast Alaska - Whales, Bears & Glaciers

July 17 - 27, 2015:

11 DAY SUPER TRIP

CAD $6425 pp*

In response to Bluewater guests requesting a longer trip than our standard 8 & 9 day trips, we are offering this 11 day "super trip" trip exploring Southeast Alaska and all its splendor!

This trip begins in the old fishing port, Petersberg, AK, tours north to Frederick Sound and then south across the border to Prince Rupert, BC. It features some of the best bear viewing in the world; Anan Creek where we see mostly black bears and their cubs - up to 12 different bears at a time - and Pack Creek and Windfall Harbour where we have a 270 degree view of the estuary from an elevated sandbar. Brown bears bring their cubs to chase spawning salmon up and down the channels as bald eagles and ravens wait patiently for salmon leftovers. We keep our sights set for blows on the horizon - both humpbacks and orca and other marine mammals feed throughout our journey south.

We will witness the calving of massive tidewater glaciers, bask in the glow of epic sunsets and enjoy some great exploration on shore walks and by kayak.This trip captures all of the iconic Alaska highlights in a small group, boutique-style cruise. SV Island Odyssey allows us to experience this rugged coast intimately with a different secluded anchorage each evening ... A nature photographer's dream trip!